Cambodia Predicts 12 Per Cent Growth In Tourism This Year: Minister

Cambodia forecasted to receive 4.7 million foreign visitors in 2014, an estimated rise of 12 per cent from 4.2 million in 2013, China's Xinhua news agency quoted its Minister of Tourism Thong Khon as saying on Wednesday.

Last year, the country's tourism generated US$2.5 billion (RM8.18 billion), contributing about 16 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP), he said, adding that the sector has created 400,000 direct jobs.

He said Cambodia saw China as a huge market for its tourism.

"Last year, we attracted some 463,000 Chinese visitors, up 39 per cent year-on-year," Thong Khon said at the opening of the annual tourism conference.

"We forecast that up to 800,000 Chinese will visit Cambodia in 2015 and nearly two million in 2020."

He said flight connections are an essential component to attract foreign tourists to Cambodia, saying that currently, 26 airline companies have been operating regular flights to Cambodia.

Tourism is one of the four main pillars supporting the Cambodian economy.

The Southeast Asian nation is famous for its two world heritage sites. One is the 12th century Angkor Wat Temple and the other is the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple.

Besides, it has a pristine coastline, which is one of the World 's Most Beautiful Bays, stretching in the length of 450 km in four southwestern provinces of Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep.

Sourced: Cambodia News